Shabbat is Different When Your Family's Not Jewish

On Wednesday , convert Chaya Menucha G. released an emotional video which has already captured the hearts of Jewish viewers around the world

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Kupat Ha'Ir, 17/05/17 16:47 | updated: 17:24

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Being a convert isn't easy. Fortunately, most who do not have the luxury of being with their families on shabbat are able to find hosts. But when a couple becomes engaged, with no family to support them, who will pay for the wedding?​

On Wednesday morning, convert Chaya Menucha G. released an emotional video which has already captured the hearts of Jewish readers around the world. Now engaged to a chattan who is also a ger himself, she has been selected by tzedaka organization Kupat Ha'Ir as especially poor and in need of help.

Born in Europe, Chaya Menucha was "surrounded by anti-semitism and other religions. However [her] heart always yearned for something more. From the time [she] was a small child [she] was fascinated with Judaism. [She] began [her] journey, learning what [she] could."

Her fundraising campaign page includes details of her moving story, as well as a video message. In the video, she shyly addresses the camera, humbled by her request for help. A visible smile spreads across her face as she mentions that she will "build a Jewish home."

The couple are reportedly living with very little money, and will receive no support from their non-Jewish parents. Lacking the basics, their hope is that readers will step in to 'be their family.'

Perhaps the most emotional statement of the campaign reads as follows: " I trust that Hashem would not have brought us here to be homeless and hungry."

With one month remaining, those close to the chattan & kallah hope that Chaya Menucha is right.